Our baby was stillborn after hospital’s mistakes

Posted On:   20 April 2017

Wakefield, UK – 7th March, 2017: Parents Leigh Mutch and Marc Allen have spoken of their trauma following the death of their baby Oliver at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

An investigation found there was a delay in sending Ms Mutch, 31, for a caesarian section which would have delivered the baby alive. The couple, of Normanton, secured an out-of-court settlement with Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust following Oliver’s death in September 2015.

Mum-of-five Ms Mutch said: “Marc and I were left completely traumatised by Oliver’s death. “We are still struggling to come to terms with losing him. It is so heartbreaking.” Ms Mutch was admitted to the antenatal day unit just before 4pm on September 22 over concerns of reduced fetal movement.

Medics at the hospital missed the severity of the situation after she was sent to the labour ward but her medical notes and results of the baby’s heartbeat monitor were not passed on. At 6.40pm that day a consultant decided a caesarian was needed, but did not categorise it as urgent.

Ms Mutch was not transferred to the theatre until 7pm and by the time the procedure was carried out at 7.28pm it was too late to save Oliver. Ms Mutch said she wanted to raise awareness that changes in a baby’s movements could be a sign that they are in danger.

She added: “I just want other mothers to stand their ground and get help if they think something is wrong. “I had been to my GP and the hospital on four previous occasions with reduced movements during my pregnancy. I knew something was not right. “I feel completely let down by the maternity services and the treatment I received at Pinderfields Hospital. “My advice to other women is to trust their bodies and to keep an eye on their babies’ movements. “It is so upsetting to know that if Oliver had been delivered earlier he would be here now.”

The family were represented by law firm Irwin Mitchell, which secured an undisclosed out-of-court settlement. Medical negligence lawyer Rebecca Pearey said: “This loss has been absolutely heartbreaking for Leigh and Marc, their children and their families.

“We welcome the trust’s admission of liability and willingness to settle this case. We hope that lessons have been learned from this tragic incident to prevent other families from suffering in this way. “Of course, all of this has sadly come too late for Leigh and Marc and although nothing can turn back the clock, we hope they can now begin to move on with their lives as much as possible.”

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said changes had since been made to improve care at Pinderfields Hospital. David Melia, director of nursing and quality, said: “We offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the family and we understand that this has been a very traumatic situation for all involved. “Our own investigation into the care we gave Leigh and baby Oliver recognised that there were significant failings on our part.

“We have since implemented a number of changes to improve the quality of care provided.”

Source: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/health/our-baby-was-stillborn-after-hospital-s-mistakes-1-8424276